Illusions, Michael! The Magic Castle Getting The Movie Treatment

Arrested Development fans are well aware of The Magic Castle. It was the venue that older brother GOB (played by Will Arnett) worked to perform at after he was banned from the magician's alliance. But the theater wasn't just an invention of show creator Mitch Hurwitz. The Magic Castle is actually a real place in Los Angeles and a very hot ticket. In fact, it's so hot that you can't even buy one - but now the Magic Castle experience could be going widespread.

THR has learned a film about the Magic Castle is now in development with Ted Field serving as a producer with his Radar Pictures label. While the trade doesn't say how the movie will work, it could very well be about the history of the establishment itself. The mansion was built in 1909 and turned into a private night club back in 1963. The venue is used by some of the world's biggest magicians, but is actually closed to the public (the only way to get in is if you've been invited by a member).

What's interesting about this development is that Warner Bros. already has the magic comedy Burt Wonderstone due out next March and Louis Leterrier is helming the heist thriller Now You See Me, which is about an FBI investigation tracking a team of illusionists who rob banks. Has a pro-magic trend been starting in Hollywood? It will be interesting to see where it goes. And let's hope they get Neil Patrick Harris, who is the president of the Academy of Magical Arts. to act in the Magic Castle movie!